He supported the controversial 1927 declaration of [[Sergius (Stragorodsky) of Moscow|Metropolitan Sergius]], pledging loyalty of the Church to the Soviet authorities without concurrence of the imprisoned Patriarchal ''locum tenens'', [[Peter (Polyansky) of Krutitsy]], and Sergius' subsequent collaboration with them.

He supported the controversial 1927 declaration of [[Sergius (Stragorodsky) of Moscow|Metropolitan Sergius]], pledging loyalty of the Church to the Soviet authorities without concurrence of the imprisoned Patriarchal ''locum tenens'', [[Peter (Polyansky) of Krutitsy]], and Sergius' subsequent collaboration with them.

In 1941 he became Metropolitan of [[wikipedia:Volhynia|Volhynia]] and [[wikipedia:Lutsk|Lutsk]] and later, after the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Metropolitan of [[wikipedia:|Kiev]] and [[wikipedia:Galicia (Central Europe)|Galicia]]. Later, as the German troops advanced, he was evacuated to Moscow.

In 1941 he became Metropolitan of [[wikipedia:Volhynia|Volhynia]] and [[wikipedia:Lutsk|Lutsk]] and later, after the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Metropolitan of [[wikipedia:|Kiev]] and [[wikipedia:Galicia (Central Europe)|Galicia]]. Later, as the German troops advanced, he was evacuated to Moscow.

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On [[September 4]], 1943, together with Metropolitan Sergius and Metropolitan [[Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow|Alexius]], Nicholas had a meeting with Soviet leader [[wikipedia:Joseph Stalin|Joseph Stalin]], where the latter proposed to reestablish the Moscow Patriarchate and elect the [[Patriarch of Moscow|Patriarch]]. On [[September 8]], 1943, when the Moscow Patriarchate was reestablished, Nikolay became a permanent member of the [[Holy Synod]]. In 1944 he was appointed Metropolian of [[wikipedia:Krutitsy|Krutitsy]]. In 1946, when the External Church Relations Department was established within the Patriarchate, Metropolitan Nikolay became its chairman. In 1947 he became Metropolitan of Krutitsy and [[wikipedia:Kolomna|Kolomna]].

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On [[September 4]], 1943, together with Metropolitan Sergius and Metropolitan [[Alexei I (Simansky) of Moscow|Alexius]], Nicholas had a meeting with Soviet leader [[wikipedia:Joseph Stalin|Joseph Stalin]], where the latter proposed to reestablish the Moscow Patriarchate and elect the [[Patriarch]]. On [[September 8]], 1943, when the Moscow Patriarchate was reestablished, Nikolay became a permanent member of the [[Holy Synod]]. In 1944 he was appointed Metropolian of [[wikipedia:Krutitsy|Krutitsy]]. In 1946, when the External Church Relations Department was established within the Patriarchate, Metropolitan Nikolay became its chairman. In 1947 he became Metropolitan of Krutitsy and [[wikipedia:Kolomna|Kolomna]].

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In 1950 he became a member of the [[World Peace Council]], occupying a staunchly pro-Soviet position.<ref name="times">http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,805739,00.html</ref>

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In 1950 he became a member of the [[w:World Peace Council|World Peace Council]], occupying a staunchly pro-Soviet position.<ref name="times">[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,805739,00.html Time, March 5, 1951]</ref>

Nikolay held Joseph Stalin in high esteem. However, his increasingly open opposition to [[atheism]] put him at odds with the Soviet leadership under [[wikipedia:Nikita Khrushchev|Nikita Khrushchev]]. In 1960 he was dismissed from the position of the Chairman of the External Church Relations Department and later left the position of Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna.

Nikolay held Joseph Stalin in high esteem. However, his increasingly open opposition to [[atheism]] put him at odds with the Soviet leadership under [[wikipedia:Nikita Khrushchev|Nikita Khrushchev]]. In 1960 he was dismissed from the position of the Chairman of the External Church Relations Department and later left the position of Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna.

He supported the controversial 1927 declaration of Metropolitan Sergius, pledging loyalty of the Church to the Soviet authorities without concurrence of the imprisoned Patriarchal locum tenens, Peter (Polyansky) of Krutitsy, and Sergius' subsequent collaboration with them.

In 1941 he became Metropolitan of Volhynia and Lutsk and later, after the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Metropolitan of Kiev and Galicia. Later, as the German troops advanced, he was evacuated to Moscow.

On September 4, 1943, together with Metropolitan Sergius and Metropolitan Alexius, Nicholas had a meeting with Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, where the latter proposed to reestablish the Moscow Patriarchate and elect the Patriarch. On September 8, 1943, when the Moscow Patriarchate was reestablished, Nikolay became a permanent member of the Holy Synod. In 1944 he was appointed Metropolian of Krutitsy. In 1946, when the External Church Relations Department was established within the Patriarchate, Metropolitan Nikolay became its chairman. In 1947 he became Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna.

Nikolay held Joseph Stalin in high esteem. However, his increasingly open opposition to atheism put him at odds with the Soviet leadership under Nikita Khrushchev. In 1960 he was dismissed from the position of the Chairman of the External Church Relations Department and later left the position of Metropolitan of Krutitsy and Kolomna.